Fast and precise moisture measurement in screw conveyors

IMKO GmbH is a state of the art producer of components and systems for moisture measurement in materials. With the SONO series, IMKO GmbH offers a new generation of moisture probes that were developed particularly for the construction industry and food production and can also be used in many other industries. Characterized by the use of the latest TRIME radar technology, the benefits are to measure material moisture precisely, directly, trouble-free, cost-effectively and plug and play with all control systems in a wide variety of applications. Hardly any other dimension has such a decisive influence on product quality as the moisture content - in product development as well as in production itself. The SONO series are used for inline measurements in a wide variety of materials. The improved process control optimizes output, saves energy, increases productivity and gives a significant workload relief. Both, time-intensive and labor-intensive sampling for conventional measuring devices is reduced to a minimum.

Since 2023, we have a dedicated ATEX product portfolio in the specification: ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU | Ex II 2 D Ex tb IIIC T75°C Db according to EPS 20 ATEX 1 237. What is special about the TRIME method is that the measuring volume of the probe completely penetrates the adjacent material. In this way, not only measured values for surface moisture are determined. In contrast, measured values for representative bulk volumes in the process are transparent. In addition, there is no need for complex and error-prone bypass designs when using our TRIME systems. Since the end of last year, we have a dedicated ATEX product portfolio in the specification: ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU | Ex II 2 D Ex tb IIIC T75°C Db according to EPS 20 ATEX 1 237. Advantages of TRIME technology * Grain moisture and product moisture measurement directly in the dryer * Inline measurement in the process at up to 130°C * Reduced working time and higher process transparency through continuous measurement * Cost savings, since time-consuming post-treatments in the event of over- or under-drying become superfluous * Measuring ranges up to 70% humidity *

Have you ever experienced mystery? A container has been filled with bulk material, after some time the level was checked again and it has decreased. Astonishingly, nothing had been removed? Actually, this sounds familiar to all of us, doesn´t it? The flour in mum´s storage tin has changed its level over time along with flow characteristics. When turning the can upside down - the flour still stays unperturbed. What happened? The flour has settled, the air in the gaps has escaped, the filling level has decreased and the bulk density has increased. Bulk solids specialists refer to this observation as the ”time consolidation of bulk solids”, which is important for silo design and the dimensioning of discharging systems. Another key variable in the design of the silo and the peripheral technology is the moisture content of the bulk material. This can be determined, using various standard methods of sampling and oven drying, drying scales or sophisticated electronic measuring methods. We have been offering measurement technology for bulk solids since the 1990s. The underlying TRIME technology has been continuously improved over the last 40 years

KO Micromodultechnik GmbH presents the new SONO-VARIO LD moisture probe for measuring medium-density bulk solids such as grain, pellets, sewage sludge, oil fruits, powders and many other materials. Thanks to its robust design, the new SONO-VARIO LD moisture probe is ideal for installation in containers, material hoppers, conveyor belts and screw conveyors. Bulk solids experts confirm: TRIME® technology offers considerable advantages over microwave technology and capacitive measuring methods when it comes to material moisture measurement. For example, temperature fluctuations, conductivity and particle size distributions have no influence on the moisture measurement. Its secret: the use of state-of-the-art TRIME® radar technology (Time Domain Reflectometry). Using an electromagnetic TDR pulse with a 1 GHz frequency, SONO probes measure the water content precisely up to material saturation and beyond. Up to 100% water content can be measured. This even makes it possible to measure solids (e.g. 0..10% solids content) in liquids. No further analysers are required. Signal processing and evaluation with intelligent filter algorithms takes place directly in the